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2002-07-10 SRA MinutesMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF THE SALEM REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD ON JULY 10, 2002 A regular meeting of the Salem Redevelopment Authority was held in the third floor conference room at 120 Washington Street on Wednesday, July 10, 2002, at 6:00 p.m. Chairman Curran called the meeting to order and on roll call the following members answered present: Michael Brennan, Michael Connelly, Robert Curran and Russ Vickers. Conrad Baldini was excused. Executive Director Joseph Walsh and SRA Project Coordinator Don Giard were also present. MINUTES Chairman Curran called for approval of the minutes of the SRA meeting held on June 12, 2002. Mr. Connelly made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. Vickers seconded the motion, all were in favor, motion so carried. DISCUSSION/NEW BUSINESS DRB Recommendations Biscotti Cuccina – 231 Washington Street – Café Permit Mr. Giard presented the application for a café permit for Biscotti Cuccina. The plan consists of three, green, metal tables with glass tops and six green, metal chairs to be placed adjacent to the storefront. The second portion of the plan calls for the construction of a brick patio on the grass area in front of the store, which will hold three tables and six chairs. The DRB recommended approval of this application. Mr. Brennan made a motion to approve the DRB recommendation for Biscotti Cuccina. Mr. Connelly seconded the motion, all were in favor, motion so carried. Sea Lion – 10 Front Street – Sign Permit & Café Permit Mr. Giard presented a sign application for a right angle, hanging sign for the Sea Lion. The sign is constructed out of MDO board and is 30” x 28” with a white background and red and gold lettering. Mr. Brennan made a motion to approve the DRB recommendation for the Sea Lion sign. Mr. Vickers seconded the motion, all were in favor, motion so carried. Mr. Giard continued that the café permit application was presented to the DRB, but they asked that the applicant find a different style of table and chairs and return to the DRB. Chairman Curran suggested that the SRA approve the application contingent upon the DRB approval of a new style of tables and chairs. Mr. Walsh stated that as a matter of procedure the SRA should vote to give the Executive Director administrative sign-off authority to approve the application. Mr. Vickers made a motion to allow the Executive Director to approve the Café Permit contingent upon the DRB approval of furniture for the café. Mr. Brennan seconded the motion, all were in favor, motion so carried. Gagnon Shoe Repair – New Derby Street – Sign Application Mr. Giard presented a 31” x 110” sign to be placed above the storefront to Gagnon Shoe Repair in the recessed brick area above the window. The sign will be black aluminum with a raised border and gold scroll text with a red background. Mr. Vickers made a motion to approve the DRB recommendation for Gagnon Shoe repair. Mr. Brennan seconded the motion, all were in favor, motion so carried. 215 Essex Street – Construction of a Dormer Mr. Giard presented plans for an addition of a dormer to a condominium unit on the third floor at 215 Essex Street. The dormer will be six feet wide and centered over the first floor storefront entry. The dormer has been designed to meet the current code requirements and matches the style of the pediments on the building. Mr. Connelly made a motion to approve the DRB recommendation for the dormer construction at 215 Essex Street. Mr. Vickers seconded the motion, all were in favor, motion so carried. Corporate Connection & Minit Print – Washington Street – Sign Application Mr. Giard explained that several months ago, a representative of the building owner came before the DRB with a master sign plan for this building, which included the erection of 36” x48” right angle signs for each business. There was a miss communication with the sign maker that each sign still needed DRB approval. However, two signs, Corporate Connection & Minit Print have been erected. A notice was sent to the owner explaining that these signs need final approval. The owner then submitted application to the DRB for approval of these signs. The DRB recommended approval as presented. Mr. Brennan made a motion to approve the DRB Recommendation for the Corporate Connection & Minit Print. Mr. Vickers seconded the motion, all were in favor, motion so carried. Magic Parlor – Essex Street- - Sign Application Mr. Giard explained that the owner of the Magic Parlor was sent a notice of violation for erecting a sign without prior approval. The owner responded to the notice and submitted his application for a right angle sign with a brown background and beige letter. The DRB approved the sign with the condition that the light box reader board in the window be removed. Mr. Vickers made a motion to approve the DRB recommendation for the Magic Parlor. Mr. Brennan seconded the motion, all were in favor, motion so carried. Brothers Café – South Harbor Garage – Café Permit Mr. Giard informed the Board that the DRB was made aware of this Board’s concern of using this area as an outdoor café. As a result of these concerns, the DRB moved the location of the café and also required the applicant to reduce the size of the tables from 36” to 24”. The applicant is in the process of choosing new tables, based on the DRB recommendation, and a furniture sample is not available this evening. Chairman Curran suggested that the SRA allow Executive Director Joe Walsh the authority to approve the final furniture selection. Mr. Vickers made a motion to approve the Café Permit location for Brothers Café and to give the Executive Director authority to approve the final furniture selection, once it has received a positive recommendation from the DRB. Mr. Brennan seconded the motion, all were in favor, motion so carried. Century 21 – 207 Washington Street – Sign Application Mr. Giard presented an application to erect a sign in the existing illuminated sign box at 207 Washington Street. The Century 21 sign will have a black background and white lettering and the company’s logo. Mr. Brennan made a motion to approve the DRB Recommendation for Century 21. Mr. Vickers seconded the motion, all were in favor, motion so carried. At this time, Chairman Curran excused himself from the meeting and turned the Chair over to senior member Michael Connelly. Executive Director’s Report DeLeo’s – Norman Street Mr. Walsh informed the Board that the DeLeo’s, owner of the Norman Street property have finally agreed to fix up their property consistent with the comments and suggestions of the DRB. Bowman’s Bakery Mr. Walsh informed the Board that the Mr. Bowman and his architect have had their first meeting with the DRB. It appears that they are proposing office space as a first floor use. He stated he has asked the owner to look at a more active retail or restaurant use on the first floor. He also informed the Board, that if the owner wants office space on the first floor, it would be a change of use, which is different from the stated uses in the Heritage Plaza West plan, and therefore will need to come before the SRA with a request for a change of use. 18 Crombie Street Mr. Walsh informed the Board that he in the process of drafting a memo to Mayor Usovicz regarding several different options in regard to the building at 18 Crombie Street and the desire for Holyoke to obtain more parking spaces. One option being explored to accommodate parking for the Holyoke building is to designate spaces at the Riley Plaza lot, on street parking. In regard to the neglect of the 18 Crombie Street building he did point out that the SRA could take the building by eminent domain, with a vote from the City Council, or if neglect continues receivership might be another option. The Board asked Mr. Walsh to check if the tax payments on this property are up to date. They also asked Mr. Walsh how the building could be redeveloped if the SRA took ownership. Mr. Walsh responded that a public bid process could be undertaken, a Request for Proposal process, where uses could be specified, could be undertaken, and there are some other options that could be explored. He stated that he would keep the Board updated regarding this issue. Old Police Station Mr. Walsh informed the Board that the Old Police Station project has received its Historic Commission Demolition Delay Waiver, and conversations have taken place to finalize the Land Disposition Agreement (LDA). He continued that in July the DRB recommended approval of the plans for the project, but the developers still need to come before the DRB. The Board stated that a deadline of September 30, 2002 be given to the developer for obtaining their SRA approvals and LDA, so the SRA can set a closing date and receive its $125,000. Harbor Walk Mr. Walsh showed a plan to the SRA for the Harbor Walk along the South River. He stated that this plan has been reviewed by the DRB and they recommend several changes, such as removing the wood planked walkway and replacing it with concrete and adding more lighting, and bollards and chains instead of wood fencing. He stated that at a later date, the Board will be provided with a detailed presentation of this project. There being no further business, Mr. Brennan made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Vickers seconded the motion, all were in favor, motion so carried. Meeting stands adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Ellen S. Dubinsky Secretary